St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-15
Sixty Members of the Legislature Meet
and Discuss Matters Affecting
Their Interests.
They Unanimously Agree to Present
Solid Phalanx for the Free
Market Bill.
A Firm Disposition Manifested to
Place All Railroad Lands on
the Tax List.
Energetic Efforts TO Be Put Forth to
Ascertain the Value and Cost
of Railroads.

LEGISLATURE nave come 10 SG. dul Wltu tut
firm resolve that they will place some laws
in the statute books which will be to their
advantage. Any one could see this at a
glance who attended the meeting in the SUI
preme court room at the capitol last night
1t was continued meeting of the farmers
the first one having been held just after
the legislature convened and adjourniug
subject to the call of the chair. There
were sixty members present last night by
actual count. The results of the meeting
were the unanimous passage of two resolu-
tions-to unltedly support the free market
bill and the bill to place all railroad lands
on the tax lists. and also to energetically
carry out the bill providing for commits
sion to ascertain the cost and value of the
railroads Much earneStneSS and interest
were shown. and, if the talk of the MEM
bers is any evidence of their intentions,
they are here for business.
Mr., Reese, of Kandiyohi, on taking the
chair explained that the notice of the meet
ing had not been given proper publicity,
consequently the attendance was not as
large as it should have been. The officers
Of the previous meeting-C. NJ. Reese.
chairman. and j. j. FurIong, secretary
were made the permanent officers of the
body
Mr.. DonnelIy explained that no notice
was given to the senators because that body
had adjourned before the messenger ar
rived.
The chair desired that the meeting ex-
press its sense in regard to allowing report
erS to remain during the session. Mr.. Don
nelly said that very often it was customary
10 exclude the reporters. and on the present
occasion, there being so many new men,
beers it might diSconcert them, and they
would not be able to speak their minds as
freely as they really desired. But the re-
porters. he said. would get everything any
how. and it might be just as well to allow
them to stay as to put them to the trouble
OF climbing up ladders at the windows or
listening at the keyhole. MeSSrs. MattSon,
Tousley, Prosser and Buffum favored the
admission of the reporters, and Mr.. Lucas
loosely suggested that three censors be
appointed to edit their copy. Permission
was given to the reporters to remain.
Mr.. Donnelly explained that he was in
part responsible for the meeting, and re-
viewed his connection with legislation bear
ing upon matters affecting the farmers in
tereStS. He dwelt particularly upon
THE FREE MARKET BILL
and the effect it would have upon CONNER
cial and agricultural interests. He said the
people were at white heat now, and de-
manded that something should be DONE
He said he felt kindly toward the present
supreme court, but their tax decision Ger
tainly was peculiar and caused great hard
ship. Mr.. Donnelly said if the free market
bill was adopted it would relieve the people
of many of their burdens He asked the
farmers to back him up If they would do
so he would do what was in his power to
carry the bill through. The committee to
whom the bill had been referred wanted to
postpone it indefinitely, but he had sue
ceeded in having it made special order
for next Thursday. If the farmers rallied
to its support it could be carried
Mr.. Reese's bill on free markets is a bill,
the law to take effect at once. Mr.. Don
nelly proposes to make it an amendment to
the constitution two years hence.
MI. Williams, of Rice. offered a resolu-
ton ndorsIng the insertion of clause in
the constitution in favor of free markets.
There was a running discussion. in which
an overwhelming sentiment was developed
in favor of the resolution. Brief remarks
were made by MeSsrs Williams, Hixson
and Powers.
Mr.. Donnelly said he would so amend
the bill as to make it apply to agricultural
markets, and to avoid anything that could
be construed to prevent labor people from
combining to protect their own interests
Mr.. Lucas, Of Hennepin, got the floor
and delivered long harangue, in which he
branched off into laudation of the laws
and customs of England and cast reflections
upon the American constitution.
Mr.. EuStiS called him to order and said
those present had not come to listen to a
criticism Of the American constitution.
The chairman ruled that Mr.. Lucas must
confine himself to tie question at issue.
Mr.. Lucas continued in an earnest vein for
some time, contendng that constitutions
would do no good unless the people united
and kept their shoulders to the wheel.
The discussion was continued by Mr..
Neel. representative labor man. He
said the labor element would stand with
the farmers in every move for the amelora-
ton of humanity, and if the two would
Stand together they could accomplish what
was needed.
MI. McAmeson made few remarks, and
the resolution was adopted unanimously.
TAXING RAILROAD LANDS.
Mr. Donnelly introduced another resolu-
ton, to the following effect:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meet
ing that railroad land should be taxed; for
the first two or three years taxing all lands
whose price is over ST per acre; then, after
an interval of two years, all land held at more
than 81 and less than Sc per acre; then, utter
two years more, all lands held at less than 81
The object of the resolution is to force
the railroad companies to sell the lands
held by them-Which are now untaXed. !
Mr.. Donnelly said the farmers had almost
majority of the legislature, but they did
not want to make use of this power to OPP
press the railroad companies. 1t was not
an oppression, though, to make the COM
panieS sell these lands. Their present plan
OF holding them in great bodies was bur-
den on the settlers, who had to pay the
taxes to support the government. and was
also barrier 20 the progress and develop
ment of the country.
Mr.. Mattson favored the taxation of rail-
road lands. lie said that in his county the
faXes were about per cent. There were
large bodies OF unoccupied land held by
railroad companies which were exempt from
taxation. II the railroad companies We're
made to carry their proper share of the
burden. taxes would be light
Mr.. Bennett of Blue Earth, cited the
manner in which the Winona & st. Peter
railroad evaded the payment of taxes in
southwestern Minnesota. He owned
section of land in Redwood county. adioin-
ing two sections owned by the Winopa &
St Peter company. For fourteen wears he
had paid taxes to build school houses and
bridges and public buildings while the rail-
road company hadn't paid cent.
Mr.. Williams made a speech advocating
the taxation of the lands.
Mr.. Donnelly denied that he was a mer-
CHESS enemy of the railroads and wanted
to crush them. He advised the members to
act cautiously and fairly. and not to Cypress
any interest
Mr.. Hummer favored taxing the lands.
and SRnafNr HiYSnr q. :.